Saints call ATL radio hosts mocking Gleason 'grossly offensive'

New Orleans Saints officials said that, while they haven't heard the radio segment from Atlanta in which several hosts mocked former Saint Steve Gleason, if the reports are accurate, it is "grossly offensive."

According to various online reports, Atlanta morning radio show "Mayhem in the AM" mocked Gleason's condition. Gleason suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

The disease strips victims of their abilities, including speech and motor skills. As a result, Gleason now communicates via a computer.

According to the report, the morning show on 790 The Zone in Atlanta faked a phone call from Gleason for about three minutes in which they mocked Gleason with a robotic voice.

WDSU has reviewed audio, which was broadcast on various local radio stations in the New Orleans metro area. Among things said by the person mocking Gleason were that he may not survive until Thursday and that he is seeking assistance in ending his life.

The station ended up apologizing for the hosts' on air blunder and suspended the radio trio indefinitely, but that didn't stop outrage from listeners, Saints fans and family members of those suffering from the debilitating disease.

"The New Orleans Saints support Steve Gleason not only for what he means to our organization and our city but more importantly what he means in his tremendous fight to find a cure for ALS," the Saints said in a statement sent to CNN Sports. "We have not heard the radio report, but if what is reported is accurate, it is grossly offensive."

Former teammate and close friend of Gleason, Scott Fujita tweeted, “I'm going to reserve judgement until I hear this morning's playback from @790TheZone. But right now I'm enraged.”

The co-host of the show, Nick Cellini, tweeted, “My apologies to everyone. It was a stupid attempt at humor that backfired. Emphasis on stupid.”

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